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Liar,
Liar
by Dr. Lynne
Curry
Question:
My boss expects me to lie, cheat and steal for him. When people
call and he doesn’t want to talk to them he tells me to say he
is out of the office. He has asked me to deposit checks when the
money should be refunded to the customer, saying "they’ll
never catch it". Routinely, we overcharge customers for
things we never even did for them. His theory is that if customers
are dumb enough to get taken then that is their problem. I
consider this stealing and I don’t want any part of it. Quite
frankly, my reputation is on the line too. The other day he told
to ask me to call one of these "overcharged" customers
and inform them we would be adding interest to their unpaid
balance. What can I do? I need my job, but I feel uneasy working
for Mr. Slime.
Answer:
If your boss cheats and lies to customers, you don’t want to
work long term for him. Not only is this routine a direct
indicator that your business is in serious financial trouble, but
your boss probably cheats you too in small ways.
In the meantime,
stop participating in routine lies. When an
"overcharged" customer calls to complain about a bill,
listen to their comments, check the facts and offer to bring the
issue to your boss’ attention. If he gives you a fraudulent
invoice to process, let him know you’re concerned about
answering customer questions when they notice something amiss.
In talking with
your boss, keep your cool. Honesty mixes better with diplomacy
than with tactlessness. Since the truth in this situation is
negative, frame it as an issue of concern rather than an attack.
Tell your boss that you are experiencing confusion over some of
the invoicing and you would like his direction. Ask him questions
about the charges and ask his reasoning on the finance charges.
Point up the fact to him that you have spoken with customers who
have mentioned they were invoiced incorrectly.
In short, give
your boss has a way out and make the quickest exit you can out of
this company.
As for the phone
call dodging - every boss in the world will do this at one time or
another, some more than others. Every one of us has someone we
don’t care to talk to because it would add too much more stress
than we already have in out day - I’m sure you can think of one
or two persons your list!
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